Decorative apparatus for artificial flowers

ABSTRACT

Decorative apparatus comprising a generally conically shaped cuplike member having an internal surface and this cuplike member terminates in what may be referred to as a scalloped edge which defines generally triangular configurations around the periphery thereof. An opening extends through the generally closed end of the cup shaped member and a stem member resides in this opening. One end of the stem member has a head connected thereto which resides within the cuplike member. Protuberances are provided on the stem member which tend to restrict movement of the stem member through the opening of the cuplike member. The artificial flowers or the like articles of manufacture are constructed by retaining decorative material between the outer surface of a cupshaped member and the inner surface of an adjacent cuplike member which is held in position by inserting the stem member through the opening in the generally closed end of the cuplike member. The decorative material may be impaled upon the stem member and in other instances the decorative material is held between the two cuplike members without the use of a stem member.

United States Patent 2,553,103 5/1951 Miller ABSTRACT: Decorative apparatus comprising a generally conically shaped cuplike member having an internal surface and this cuplike member terminates in what may be referred to as a scalloped edge which defines generally triangular configurations around the periphery thereof. An opening extends through the generally closed end of the cup shaped member and a stem member resides in this opening. One end of the stem member has a head connected thereto which resides within the cuplike member. Protuberances are provided on the stem member which tend to restrict movement of the stem member through the opening of the cuplike member. The airtificial flowers or the like articles of manufacture are constructed by retaining decorative material between the outer surface of a cupshaped member and the inner surface of an adjacent cuplike member which is held in position by inserting the stem member through the opening in the generally closed end of the cuplike member. The decorative material may be impaled upon the stem member and in other instances the decorative material is held between the two cuplike members without the use ofa stem member.

PATENTED .mu 1 19. 2

SHEET 1 UF 4 INVENTOR.

W/L L IAM M. Klvox BY mum Rm:

FIG. 2

PATENTEU JMH 1 m2 SHEET 2 BF 4 FIG /0 INVENTOR.

WILL 1AM W. KNOX BY 0mm; ms

PATENTED mu 1 1972 3,634,181

SHEET 3 OF 4 INVENTOR.

WILLIAM W. KNOX PATENTEI] JAN I 1 i872 SHEET M [1F &

INVENTOR.

W/L LIAM W. KNOX DECORATIVE APPARATUS FOR ARTIFICIAL FLOWERS The art of making artificial flowers and similar articles has existed for many years. However, in most instances, the masking of these items consistently has been extremely difficult, if not impossible, and could be accomplished only by the skilled artisan and not the relative amateur.

The present invention concerns itself with the use of an apparatus upon which artificial flowers and the like can be conveniently constructed and also concerns itself with a convenient means of holding the decorative material which comprises the petals of the flower as well as the method of manufacture.

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the apparatus of the present invention which includes a generally cuplike member and a stem member mounted thereon;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the base of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows the upper portion of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1 with decorative material impaled on the stem member and demonstrating the first step in the making of an artificial peony;

FIG. 4 shows the next step in making the flower;

FIG. 5 illustrates the next succeeding step in making the flower;

FIG. 6 is a view showing the finished flower made by the steps demonstrated in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 and in an upright position;

FIGS. 7 and 8 sown the apparatus of FIG. 1 slightly rearranged and using a slightly different method to construct an artificial mum;

FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 demonstrate the steps involved in constructing an artificial rose wherein a plurality of separate petals are utilized and wherein the separate petals are impaled on the stem member;

FIG. 12 is a view illustrating how a rose can be constructed without the use of a stem member which has been utilized in making the flowers shown in the other FIGS.;

FIG. I3 is an elevational view of a completed rose made in accordance with the procedure which is illustrated in FIG. 12; and

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the cuplike member and stem member separate from the other structure.

The apparatus of the present invention is generally shown in FIG. I and includes in combination -a base 21 upon which is rotatably mounted a turntable 23. Indicia 25 are provided on the turntable and base 21 for indicating the rotational position of the turntable with respect to the base. This is desirable in many respects wherein separate petal members are utilized to construct an artificial flower and it is desirable to consistently space the petal members about the center line of the flower. The ability of the turntable to rotate is also desirable in that in constructing artificial flowers with the present apparatus it is always possible to keep that side of the flower upon which one is working conveniently in front of the worker.

A hollow spindle 27 is provided which has a first or lower end portion 29 connected to the tumtabie as best seen in FIG. 2 and the spindle is adapted to rotate with the turntable and in its normal use is disposed in a generally vertical position. The spindle has a second or upper end portion 30 which is located a substantial distance above the base and a spindle top 32 is secured to the upper end portion 30 in a snug fitting manner as demonstrated in FIG. 3. The spindle top 32 has an outer surface 34 which defines substantially the surface of a frustum of a cone and wall means 36 define a generally axially extending rib on the outer surface of the spindle top.

Flower material retaining means are carried on the spindle top in the use of the apparatus in forming an artificial flower and these retaining means in this particular embodiment comprise a generally eonically shaped cuplike member 40 sometimes referred to herein as a calyx, and this member has an internal surface 42 residing on and generally mating with the outer surface 34 of the spindle top. The cuplike member is also provided with an outer surface 44 which is adapted to generally fit within the internal surface 42 in a manner which will be discussed and illustrated hereinafter as shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 12. The lower portion of the cuplike member 40'terminates in a scalloped edge which generally defines a plurality of triangular configurations identified by the reference numeral 46 around the periphery of the open end of the cuplike member. The rib 36 normally resides between two of the triangular configurations 46 and keeps the calyx from turning on the spindle top 32. A generally axially extending opening 48 is provided in what may be referred to as the closed end of the cuplike member.

A stem member 49 sometimes referred to as a stamen, is provided which extends through the opening 48 and which has a head member 50 integrally secured thereto which head member is located within the confines of the cuplike member and the size of the head member prevents it from traveling through the opening 48. It will be seen from FIG. 3 that the head member engages, in at least one of its uses, the extreme upper surface of the spindle top 32. Protuberances 53 are provided on the outer surface of the stern member and serve to restrict the movement of the stem member through the opening 48 in the cuplike member. The end of the member opposite the head member terminates in a beveled edge 55 and an axial opening 57 is provided into the stem member which axial opening terminates short of the head member 50.

FIGS. 3 through 6 demonstrate the steps involved in making an artificial peony with the apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view in section showing a portion of the apparatus seen in FIG. 1 and it will be seen that a plurality of pieces of decorative material 60, such as paper, have been impaled by the beveled edge 55 of the stem member 49 and has been brought down into contact with the outer surface 44 of the cuplike member 40. The configuration of this paper material is much the same as shown in FIG. 7 of the drawings, however, the configuration at the perimeter of the paper is different so as to conform generally to the shape of the peony petal. This paper material has been identified by the reference numeral 60. The next steps are shown in FIG. 4, which involve the placing of a second cuplike member 62 into position on the stern member 49 by inserting the stern member through the opening in member 62. Member 62 is then brought axially into position surrounding the paper 60 in the manner shown in FIG. 4 and a second plurality of paper petals 64 are impaled on the stem member and are brought into the position shown in FIG. 4.

The next step is demonstrated in FIG. 5, wherein a third cuplike member 66 is brought into position to hold the second group of paper petals 64 in position between members 62 and 66. FIG. 6 shows the finished artificial flower as moved into an upright position and taken off of the spindle top 32. The paper material 60 and 64 which has the configuration of the petals is then manually manipulated to bring it generally into the shape shown in FIG. 6 and the flower is completed. The outer surface of the cuplike members is provided with raised portions 47 which assist in holding the decorative material between the cuplike members.

FIGS. 7 and 8 demonstrate the making of an artificial mum and by means of a different method but still with the apparatus of the present invention. The spindle top is provided with an axial opening 33 and calyx 68 is utilized in this construction as well as a stamen 69. In this particular embodiment, however, the stamen is inserted into the opening 33 in the spindle top and a plurality of generally circular paper members 71 are placed in the position shown in FIG. 7 and these paper members have generally the configuration of the petals of a mum on their peripheral edges. The central portions of the paper members 71 are forced into the internal surface of the calyx 68 and are retained in position by means of a ball of paper 73 being forced into the cuplike shape of the calyx. This wedging type action holds the paper members in the position shown in FIG. 8 and by appropriately fluffing and manipulating the paper members, the flower of FIG. 8 is produced.

FIGS. 9, l and 11, demonstrate the steps involved in making a rose with the apparatus of the present invention. FIGS. 9, l0 and 11 show the progressive impaling of four rose petals identified by the reference numerals 75, 76, 77 and 78, onto a stem member 80 and bringing the petals into position against the outer surface of a cuplike member 81. After the four petals have been so positioned, a second cuplike member 82 is brought into the position shown in FIG. 11 to hold these four petals together. This procedure is preferably repeated until two or three more groups of four petals are placed in position in the same manner and the flower is then completed by turning it in an upright position and manually shaping the petals so as to produce a final effect similar to that shown in FIG. 13, with the exception that no stem member has been illustrated in FIG. 13.

FIG. 12 is an illustration showing how the rose of FIG. 13 can be formed with simply the use of the cuplike members and without the use of a stern member. In this particular embodiment, there has been shown a cuplike member 88 and this procedure involves simply the engaging or wrapping around of one end of the four petals identified by the reference numerals 89, 90, 91 and 92 about the outer surface of the cuplike member 88 without impaling the petal members on a stem member. After this has been accomplished, all that need be done is bring a second cuplike member 94 over the ends of the petal members which have been wrapped about the cuplike member 88. This procedure can be repeated until the desired number of petal members have been provided, so as to produce the efiect of the rose 97 shown in FIG. 13.

It will also be apparent from a review of the above that an artificial flower may be constructed by the method shown in FIGS. 941 without impaling the petals on a stem member but while still using a stem member. This is done by wrapping the petals about a cup-shaped member in the manner shown in FIG. 12. It will also be noted that the cup-shaped members may be varied within limits as to shape and configuration and still perform their retaining function particularly in combination with a stem member. It will also be clear that other decorative materials than paper may be used in these constructions such as fabric, plastic, feathers and ribbon.

It will therefore be seen that with the apparatus and method as disclosed hereinabove, artificial flowers and other decorative material can be conveniently formed by people who would normally be referred to as amateurs and normally not able to produce these items.

Although this invention has been described in its preferred form and preferred practice with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure of the preferred form and preferred practice has been made only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction and the combination and arrangement of parts and steps may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

What is claimed is:

I. Decorative apparatus including in combination a first tapered cup-shaped member having outer and inner surfaces, said first tapered cup-shaped member having a wall which is annularly continuous for the largest proportion of its axial length, wall means defining a generally axially extending opening through the bottom of said first tapered cupshapcd member, decorative paper material surrounding said outer surface of said first tapered cup-shaped member and extending outwardly of the end thereof, the taper on said first tapered cup-shaped member being such that the inner surface thereof will interfit over the outer surface of an identical tapered cup-shaped member in a manner that the two tapered cup-shaped members are held together without the necessity of other securing means, a second tapered cup-shaped member identical to said first tapered cup-shaped member and having outer and inner surfaces, said inner surface of said second tapered cup-shaped member fitting over the outer surface of said first tapered cup-shaped member and because of the taplers on said first and second ta ered cup-shaped members t e two are held together wit the decorative paper material held therebetween.

2. Decorative apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein an elongated stem member is provided which has an integrally formed head on one end portion, said head being positioned at the bottom of said first tapered cup-shaped member adjacent said axially extending opening therein and being larger than said opening, said stem member extending through said last mentioned opening, through said decorative paper material and through said axially extending opening in said second tapered cup-shaped member to assist in holding said first and second tapered cup-shaped members together.

3. Decorative apparatus as claimed in claim I, wherein at least portions of the outer and inner surfaces of said tapered cup-shaped members conform substantially to the surface of a cone.

4. Decorative apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the outer surfaces of said tapered cup-shaped members are provided with raised portions to assist in securing said decorative paper material. 

1. Decorative apparatus including in combination a first tapered cup-shaped member having outer and inner surfaces, said first tapered cup-shaped member having a wall which is annularly continuous for the largest proportion of its axial length, wall means defining a generally axially extending opening through the bottom of said first tapered cup-shaped member, decorative paper material surrounding said outer surface of said first tapered cup-shaped member and extending outwardly of the end thereof, the taper on said first tapered cup-shaped member being such that the inner surface thereof will interfit over the outer surface of an identical tapered cup-shaped member in a manner that the two tapered cup-shaped members are held together without the necessity of other securing means, a second tapered cup-shaped member identical to said first tapered cup-shaped member and having outer and inner surfaces, said inner surface of said second tapered cup-shaped member fitting over the outer surface of said first tapered cup-shaped member and because of the tapers on said first and second tapered cup-shaped members the two are held together with the decorative paper material held therebetween.
 2. Decorative apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein an elongated stem member is provided which has an integrally formed head on one end portion, said head being positioned at the bottom of said first tapered cup-shaped member adjacent said axially extending opening therein and being larger than said opening, said stem member extending through said last mentioned opening, through said decorative paper material and through said axially extending opening in said second tapered cup-shaped member to assist in holding said first and second tapered cup-shaped members together.
 3. Decorative apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least portions of the outer and inner surfaces of said tapered cup-shaped members conform substantially to the surface of a cone.
 4. Decorative apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the outer surfaces of said tapered cup-shaped members are provided with raised portions to assist in securing said decorative paper material. 